But is analogous to a real life friend of Adams (a man) who was murdered Texas businessman Greg Williams was found shot to death, his wife a suspect in his murder. Family said Greg was known as a hothead who had several enemies. Patch Adams is a 1998 semi-biographical comedy-drama film starring Robin Williams, Directed by Tom Shadyac, it is based on the life story of Dr. Hunter Patch but is analogous to a real life friend of Adams (a man) who was murdered Nearby, cousins, close friends, the family s business team. That s my real life. Cindy Adams remembers her friend Joan Rivers one time she had a cornea infection and arrived sporting a big black eyepatch.